The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1887-01-28

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he HELPED THE KING
ny Being Faithful in Small Thing >
shepherd hoy Became Greatly Hon
ored.
There was little shepherd-boy who
kept his sheep down in a lonely valley.
War was raging in the land. and the
boy would have liked to 60 out and
fight against the enemy. but he was too
young. He was good boy, careful
Of his sheep and kind to his dog, and
active and industrious at his work;
and at home he was obcdient and gem
tie. and always ready to do good
turn for any one. But, though he liked
his work. he would have liked better to
fight. and he was very sorry that he
could not be soldier. One day a
long column Of loose soldiers. with
bright red coats and flashing helmets.
and trnmpcts sounding. rode through
the valley on their way to battle.
Among them was a young soldier, a
cousin Of the shepherd-boy. and not
many years older The boy called to
him, and babe him goodbye. and as
the soldiers disappeared at the end Of
the valley. he said to himself: Il
wish ! were as old as my
cousin. that 1 might 20 out to
fight the Kings battles. He will risk
his life to help the King. and, may be,
he may do something great. and help
10 win battle and save our country;
but can do nothing but stay here and
watch few sheep. ] wish could do
something to help the King" As he
said these words pigeon came came
hnrr'iedly flying close over his head.
The boy locked up. and there was a
hawk chasing after her. The poor bird
flew round and round, and here and
there. and managed to escape as far as
the next meadow; but she was close
followed at every turn by the hungry
hawk, and it was clear that she would
he caught in minute. if no help came.
There was no time to 60 round BY the
gate, so in moment the boy jumped
on high stone-wall that parted the
two meadows; il was a high wall, and
there was steep. rough rock on the
other side. The jump was dangerous
one. but without a moments hesitation
the brave lad leaped down, and
the next momcnt-though he sprain-
ed his foot and fell, striking one
cheek against sharp edge in the
rock-he was up again on his feet.
and 6inging his crook at the hawk
he stopped him just in time to save the
poor trembling pigeon. Then he took
up the pigeon, more dead than alive.
and strokcd it gently. In few min
utes it seemed to gain strength and
courage. Meantime. the shepherd-boy.
limping as he went. carried the bird
round to the meadow where he was
keeping his sheep. And now. while he
was feeding the pigeon with some bread
crumbs il came into his mind: what
am ! to do with this pretty bird?" At
nrst he said: II will take il home to my
brothers and sisters. Elbow pleased
they will be!'' Then il occurred to
him: Perhaps the pigeon belongs to
some one else. Indeed il must, for it's
not wild wood-pigeon. but a tame
one; and besides. some one has tied
silk thread and piece Of paper round
its neck. But then. have not ! saved il?
1t would have been killed but for me.
Surely it belongs to me. And besides.
il | let il 60, may not another hawk kill
it?" All this he thought to himself, and
part Of il he spoke aloud. But when
he had finished, his conscience told him
that he ought not to keep the pigeon;
i was very hard to let il 60, but II was
right. So he kissed the pigeon and
said: "Good-bye; 60 home to your
master who gave you your little silk
collar"
Away flew the pigeon straight toward
. castle At the top Of a hill long way
of, and at the same time away galloped
q man on horseback down in the deep
lane that ran by the side Of the meadow.
The boy wondered for minute who II
was that had been quietly waiting in
the lane, but soon he forgot all about
that. Now, you must know that this
man who galIopcd of when the pigeon
flew away was no other than the King.
The King had been riding little be-
hind his soldiers, and had heard all the
shepherd boys complaints, and how he
wanted 70 do something to help the
King. He had also noticed how
the brave hoy had jumped from
the top Of : high wall and
had saved the pigeon. Moreover.
just Is the pigeon was rising to
~ away, he had noticed the little piece
d paper tied By the silk thread round
the pigeons neck. He had not noticed
this while the bird was IN the boys
hand. but when Il began % nap IL
wings he caught sight Of Il, and then